Brock Purdy had another strong performance for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and although it wasn’t an elite one, it was one that should be a confidence builder for him, as well as for 49ers fans.
In the four previous games he had played ever since Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a foot injury, the rookie quarterback showed incredible poise and execution in helping San Francisco continue its winning streak and clinch first place in the NFC West.
Although some excitingly exclaimed that he had become the team’s new franchise QB, others have had a wait-and-see approach, and one reason why, according to them, is because he hasn’t been tested yet in a come-from-behind situation.
Sunday’s contest on the road versus the Las Vegas Raiders presented Purdy with exactly that type of situation.
The 49ers trailed by 10 early in the third quarter, but Purdy maintained his composure and helped them score 13 unanswered points.
But the pressure was on later in the fourth period, as the Raiders tied the game twice.
Purdy responded by doing everything he needed to do to help San Francisco win in overtime, 37-34.
Purdy Beat The Pressure Well
Several times on Sunday, Purdy was being pressured by the likes of players such as Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby, but he kept evading that pressure to find his receivers downfield.
Brock Purdy's ability to calmly spin out of the pocket, extend the play with his legs when there was nothing open on the initial design, while throwing a perfectly-placed ball where only George Kittle could catch it is some really high-level stuff. pic.twitter.com/HWr0xHj0tq
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) January 2, 2023
With 4:08 left in the fourth quarter, Purdy led a quick five-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a Jordan mason rushing touchdown to give the Niners a 34-27 lead.
Then, after Las Vegas scored a touchdown of its own, Purdy had just 1:11 left to get his team into field goal range, which he calmly did.
All it took was 41 seconds. 3 connections with Aiyuk for Brock Purdy to lead the offense into field goal range . Here are the 3 throws .
He did this was ease . This is a rookie. Whos 4 games in. Not normal stuff here .#NFL #49ers #QB1 pic.twitter.com/II9GlWBXpB
— Socrates (@ITfactor00) January 2, 2023
Robbie Gould missed the 41-yard field goal that would’ve won the game, but the rookie signal-caller did what he needed to do prior to it on that particular drive.
In overtime, Tashaun Gipson intercepted a Jarrett Stidham pass to give the Niners the ball back in field goal range, and this time, Gould came through to get the victory.
Purdy’s body of work is still a small sample space, but with each game, the doubts and concerns about him are slowly but gradually dissipating.
NEXT: 49ers Give Injury Update On Christian McCaffrey